Grace Wales Bonner Is Hermès’ First Black Woman Creative Director for Menswear

In a historic and inspiring move that has sent ripples through the global fashion industry, Grace Wales Bonner has been named the new Creative Director of Menswear at Hermès.
The announcement, made on Tuesday morning, 21st October, 2025, marks a milestone moment in luxury fashion as Bonner becomes the first Black woman to lead design at the prestigious French house.

She succeeds Véronique Nichanian, who has held the position for an astonishing 37 years, shaping Hermès’ distinct and understated masculine elegance through her long and impactful tenure.

Grace Wales Bonner, who launched her eponymous brand in 2014, expressed deep gratitude and excitement for this new chapter. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote, “I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the role of Creative Director of Hermès Menswear. It is a dream realized to embark on this new chapter, following in a lineage of inspired craftspeople and designers. I wish to express my gratitude to Pierre-Alexis Dumas and Axel Dumas for the opportunity to bring my vision to this magical house.” Her words encapsulate both humility and ambition; a reflection of her steady rise in fashion and her profound respect for craftsmanship and heritage.

For Wales Bonner, this moment is the realization of a long-held dream. In a 2019 interview with System Magazine, she revealed that working with Hermès or a Savile Row tailoring house was one of her biggest aspirations. “A dream of mine would be to work with a brand like Hermès or even a Savile Row tailoring house, as that is at the core of what I am doing,” she said at the time. That statement, made years before this historic appointment, now feels almost prophetic; a testament to her focused dedication to the art of tailoring and timeless design.

Since founding her London-based label shortly after graduating from Central Saint Martins, Grace Wales Bonner has carved a niche for herself as one of the most thoughtful and culturally conscious fashion designers of her generation. Her work stands at the intersection of fashion, identity, and heritage, often exploring the richness of Black culture and the blending of European and African aesthetics.

Grace’s collections are celebrated for their intellectual depth, refined tailoring, and fluid, genderless appeal; a combination that has made her one of the most respected voices in contemporary menswear.

The fashion designer’s collaboration with Adidas, which began in 2020, brought her vision to a wider global audience. The partnership fused sportswear and luxury in a way that felt both nostalgic and modern, leading to collections that sold out within hours. Through her partnership with Adidas, Wales Bonner demonstrated an uncanny ability to blend high fashion with streetwear sensibilities while maintaining a refined aesthetic. It was this balance of accessibility and artistry that solidified her reputation as a designer capable of bridging worlds, a quality that aligns perfectly with the Hermès philosophy.

Over the years, Wales Bonner’s list of accolades has grown impressively. In 2015, she won the Emerging Menswear Designer Award at the British Fashion Awards, followed by the prestigious LVMH Young Designer Prize in 2016, which catapulted her into the global spotlight. Her achievements continued with the CFDA International Men’s Designer of the Year Award in 2021, cementing her status as a creative powerhouse. Each recognition has underscored her ability to merge intellectualism and craftsmanship, concepts that are central to both her brand and the Hermès legacy.

For Hermès, this appointment represents both continuity and evolution. Véronique Nichanian, who took on the role of men’s artistic director in 1987, built the foundation of the brand’s understated luxury. Her minimalist approach and devotion to superior materials defined Hermès menswear for nearly four decades. Nichanian’s departure marks the end of an era, one filled with quiet innovation and impeccable craftsmanship.

As she prepares to present her final collection at Paris Men’s Fashion Week in January, the fashion world prepares to witness the close of one chapter and the beginning of another. Bonner is expected to debut her first collection for Hermès in January 2027, giving her ample time to immerse herself in the brand’s codes, workshops, and heritage.

The announcement of Bonner’s appointment has been met with widespread acclaim, not only for her creative brilliance but also for what it symbolizes in the broader context of fashion’s evolution. In an industry that has long struggled with issues of diversity and inclusion, her rise represents a significant and long-overdue shift. Hermès, a house rooted in heritage and tradition, has taken a bold step toward inclusivity and progressiveness without compromising its timeless identity.

What makes Bonner’s appointment particularly compelling is her approach to storytelling through clothing. Her collections often draw inspiration from literature, music, and history, especially from the African diaspora. She has consistently demonstrated that fashion can serve as a platform for intellectual exploration and cultural dialogue.

The designer’s work has referenced everything from jazz and postcolonial theory to spirituality and identity, creating garments that speak to deeper human experiences. This depth of perspective will undoubtedly bring new layers of meaning to Hermès menswear, which has traditionally been centered on craftsmanship, luxury, and simplicity.

Grace’s design philosophy resonates deeply with Hermès’ emphasis on timelessness. Both her label and the French maison share a commitment to quality, subtlety, and craftsmanship over trend-driven fashion. Yet, what Bonner adds is a modern perspective rooted in multicultural awareness; a sensitivity to heritage, community, and identity that modern audiences crave. Her ability to merge cultural storytelling with meticulous tailoring positions her perfectly to reinterpret Hermès’ masculine codes for a new generation of luxury consumers.

Beyond her creative genius, Grace Wales Bonner’s appointment is profoundly symbolic. She joins the small but growing list of Black designers leading major European fashion houses; a list that includes figures like Virgil Abloh, who broke barriers at Louis Vuitton, and Olivier Rousteing at Balmain.

Grace Wales Bonner’s presence at Hermès continues this legacy of breaking boundaries, but with her own quiet grace and intellectual charm. She represents a new kind of luxury; one that honors culture, intellect, and authenticity as much as craftsmanship.

The timing of her appointment also feels serendipitous. As fashion continues to evolve in response to global social movements, sustainability demands, and cultural diversification, luxury brands are recognizing the need for fresh perspectives that speak to a broader audience. Bonner embodies this new era of conscious creativity—one that values meaning and connection as much as aesthetics. Her thoughtful approach to design and her ability to weave narratives of identity into fashion will bring a new emotional depth to Hermès menswear.

In recent years, Bonner’s influence has extended beyond fashion runways. She has become a cultural figure, collaborating with musicians, curating art exhibitions, and shaping dialogues around representation in creative industries. Her work consistently bridges disciplines, reflecting a holistic understanding of creativity. This multidimensional artistry is exactly what Hermès, a house that has long supported artisanship and innovation across multiple fields, will benefit from in the coming years.

As the world awaits her debut collection for Hermès in 2027, anticipation is already building. The fashion community is eager to see how she will merge her distinctive aesthetic, rooted in cultural reflection and refined craftsmanship, with the Hermès legacy of quiet sophistication. 

As Véronique Nichanian bids farewell with her final show in January, her legacy of craftsmanship and quiet innovation will remain woven into the Hermès fabric. Yet, it is Grace Wales Bonner who will now write the next chapter, one that blends intellect, artistry, and inclusivity into the timeless narrative of Hermès menswear.

The world is watching, and rightly so. With Grace Wales Bonner leading the way, Hermès is reimagining its heritage for a new generation. Her appointment represents more than a creative transition; it is a celebration of diversity, artistry, and the power of vision. It is, quite simply, the dawn of a new era for Hermès and for the world of fashion itself.

Photo: Instagram/walesbonner